“Then I renounce.”
I shake my head. “Louis, no. You can’t do that.”
“I can’t give you up. Do you understand?” His hand cups my cheek, his thumb brushing my lower lip.
“But—”
“You’re not up for discussion. There will be negotiations. I’ve made up my mind, and nothing will change that,” he whispers. “Unless you decide I’m not what you want.”
I don’t have more words for what that does to me, so I kiss him instead, tasting champagne and possibility.
When I pull back, he’s smiling. It’s unguarded, and it makes him look younger, lighter even.
“That portrait was the most reckless but beautiful thing anyone haseverdone for me.”
“I will never be able to paint anyone else sitting beside you.” The words come out before I can stop them.
“Good. That place is reserved for you.” He brushes a strand of hair from my face. “I’ve searched a lifetime for you, to feel like this.”
“It’s like nothing else matters.”
“It doesn’t.” He reaches up and removes pins from my hair, letting the strands fall around my shoulders. His focus is intense and careful, like this small act is the most important thing he’s ever done. The last pin falls, and he studies me, twirling a strand of my hair on his finger. “Gorgeous.”
“You unravel me, Louis. Everything about you, about us … I don’t know how this works out.” I swallow hard. “What if it doesn’t?”
“Did you forget that I always get what I want?” His hands find my zipper, and he lowers it inch by inch.
“Yes, but this is—” The silk pools at my feet, and I stand there in nothing but panties, letting him memorize me.
“Shh.” He places his finger on my lips and takes a step back, admiring me with soft eyes that are full of want and need.
My heart skips a beat.
“Like what you see?” I ask, licking my lips.
He shakes his head. “No.”
I playfully pout. “No?”
“Ilovewhat I see.Obsessed,actually.”
I move toward him, pushing his suit jacket off his shoulders, and it plops onto the floor. Our eyes meet as I remove his tie and undo every button on his shirt. He removes his cuff links, placing them on the mantel, then tugs his undershirt over his head. Louis kicks off his shoes and socks, standing in just his slacks.
The fire pops behind us, throwing shadows against the walls as my eyes flick up and down him.
Louis in the firelight is an absolute masterpiece. The room is full of gold and amber light that spreads across his skin. Shadows catch the ridges of his stomach, and muscles cut in at his hips, making that sexy V. A trail of dark hair starts below his navel and leads my eyes exactly where they want to go. He’s hard.
“What?” he asks, chewing on the corner of his lip.
“Just admiring you.”
I step closer and press my palm flat against his chest. His skin is warm, almost hot, and his heart pounds under my hand. I trace downward, over the firm plane of his stomach, feeling his muscles tense.
“You’re literally Prince Charming—you know that?”
“Yep.”
“Mmm.” I circle him slowly, trailing my fingers across his ribs, his back. The firelight catches a small scar near his shoulder blade that I’ve never noticed before. I press my lips to it. “This body. This face. Your heart. I can’t believe you actually exist. You’re my entire childhood fantasy come true.”
